Safety Systems & Assurance Lead

South East Water; Frankston; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

My Fitness Passport

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Health checks and flu shots

Flexible/Hybrid working

Leave purchasing option

Cultural and ceremonial leave

Study leave

Office facilities and on-site parking

Job summary

South East Water, based in Victoria, Australia, is seeking a Safety Systems & Assurance Lead to govern and enhance its Safety Management System (SMS). You will lead policy development, assurance activities and risk-based improvements across the organisation.

The role requires extensive knowledge of Victorian OHS legislation, ISO 45001, and contractor safety management, with a focus on driving continuous safety improvements and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Occupational Health & Safety.
• Experience developing, implementing and maintaining Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• Strong knowledge of Victorian OHS legislation, regulatory requirements and ISO 45001.
• Experience developing assurance frameworks, audit programs and control verification processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing critical risks and critical controls.
• Strong contractor safety management experience.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and report-writing skills.
• Proven ability to influence, engage and build relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Systems-thinking approach with focus on practical and sustainable outcomes.
• Auditing experience or qualifications are highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve South East Water's Safety Management System (SMS), ensuring compliance with legislation, ISO 45001 and industry best practice.
• Develop and maintain safety policies, standards, procedures and critical safety documentation.
• Lead the Safety Assurance Framework, including critical risk and control management, assurance activities and performance reporting.
• Monitor legislative changes, identify emerging risks and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the business.
• Lead contractor safety programs, assurance processes and contractor risk management activities.
• Provide expert advice on safety governance, compliance, audits and corrective actions.
• Analyse safety data, trends and assurance findings to strengthen risk controls and inform decision-making.
• Partner with leaders and operational teams to improve safety capability, systems and outcomes across the organisation.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Report writing

Systems thinking

Auditing experience

Influence teams

Problem solving

Education

Bachelors in Occupational Health & Safety

Tools

ISO 45001

Job description

We're here to help people live well and create a better and more sustainable future. We support healthy and liveable communities by delivering water, sewerage and recycled water services to 1.77 million people who rely on us every day and every night. At South East Water, we innovate with purpose and act with care to deliver healthy water for life. Fresh thinking and collaboration are at the heart of our organisation. We are constantly learning, embracing the challenges of today and excited by the opportunities that tomorrow will bring.

The role

As our Safety Systems & Assurance Lead, you will be the subject matter expert responsible for the governance, development and ongoing enhancement of South East Water's Safety Management System (SMS).

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve South East Water's Safety Management System (SMS), ensuring compliance with legislation, ISO 45001 and industry best practice.
• Develop and maintain safety policies, standards, procedures and critical safety documentation.
• Lead the Safety Assurance Framework, including critical risk and control management, assurance activities and performance reporting.
• Monitor legislative changes, identify emerging risks and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the business.
• Lead contractor safety programs, assurance processes and contractor risk management activities.
• Provide expert advice on safety governance, compliance, audits and corrective actions.
• Analyse safety data, trends and assurance findings to strengthen risk controls and inform decision-making.
• Partner with leaders and operational teams to improve safety capability, systems and outcomes across the organisation.

Who are you?

You are a highly capable safety professional who combines technical expertise with strong stakeholder engagement skills and a passion for continuous improvement.

You'll bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in Occupational Health & Safety or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience developing, implementing and maintaining Safety Management Systems.
• Strong knowledge of Victorian OHS legislation, regulatory requirements and ISO 45001.
• Experience developing assurance frameworks, audit programs and control verification processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing critical risks and critical controls.
• Strong contractor safety management experience.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and report writing skills.
• Proven ability to influence, engage and build relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• A systems-thinking approach with a focus on practical and sustainable outcomes.
• Auditing experience or qualifications will be highly regarded.

What's in it for you?

Working at South East Water means you can enjoy a wealth of benefits, starting with the chance to be part of an organisation deeply committed to environmental initiatives and sustainability; one who has been recognised as one of the top 101 Workplaces for Women in Australia by Work180 for the past two consecutive years and a 2026 Finalist in the Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards Flexible Working category.

South East Water cultivates a dynamic culture that emphasises collaboration and strong work ethics, supported by career-focused learning and development opportunities. As a SEW employee, you can enjoy the following offerings from our benefits package:

• Access to My Fitness Passport, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), annual flu shots, and health checks.
• Work-life balance with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work options and leave purchasing.
• Additional leave offerings, such as cultural and ceremonial leave and study leave.
• Head office with modern facilities and panoramic beachfront views, a separate parents' room, a prayer and meditation room and an onsite cafe.
• Limited free onsite and offsite car parking available, as well as pay-as-you-go parking options nearby.
• Opportunity to be part of great initiatives involving the local community.

We're for everyone

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. It makes us better learners, thinkers and collaborators, helping create better outcomes for our customers.

We are deeply committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, people with disability and jobseekers of all ages and cultures. We aim to provide an inclusive, accessible workplace where everyone is welcome, safe, and celebrated. If you need any help with the application process or would like to discuss your reasonable adjustments during interviews, please reach out to our Talent team at *******@southeastwater.com.au.

To be considered for this opportunity, you must hold unrestricted working rights for the period of employment at the time of application. Successful candidates will also be required to undergo a number of pre-employment checks, including a police records check.

South East Water operates a 24/7 service environment. Whilst this role does not involve after-hours rostered duty, all employees may be required to provide out of hours support from time to time as required.

Visit southeastwater.com.au to learn more about us and how we serve our customers.